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For anybody who has followed the news over the past few years (probably on a computer), the long-awaited demise of newspapers shouldn't come as much of a surprise. But on Wednesday, the bell tolled once again for the printed word when the University of Southern California's Annenberg Center for the Digital Future offered a prophecy: Within five years, only four major daily papers will continue in print form.

The Washington Post Co. got what just it wanted in the deal: Someone else to take the blame for killing Newsweek. Of all the bidders, the 91-year-old audio-gear mogul is least likely to make the kinds of changes the venerable magazine would need to survive in the long term.

As the list of potential buyers for Newsweek shortens, Washington businessman Fred Drasner is emerging as the most serious candidate. Meanwhile, the Washington Post Co. has reportedly turned away two conservative would-be buyers.